Tropical Storm Francine forecast to become hurricane overnight

Tropical Storm Francine is churning in the Gulf and is expected to become a hurricane overnight.

Hurricane warnings are now in effect for portions of Louisiana.

Francine is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon in southwestern Louisiana as a Category 2 with 100 mph winds.

Earlier Monday, a storm surge watch was announced for the area covering Texas to the Mississippi-Alabama border.

By Tuesday morning, Francine’s outer bands will bring heavy rain and gusty winds to Texas. The rough weather will last through the day along the coast, including Houston.

By Wednesday morning, conditions will deteriorate rapidly in southwestern Louisiana. Heavy rain and flooding are expected throughout the day.

About 5 to 8 inches of rain, with locally up to 1 foot, is forecast from Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle through Thursday morning.